FLEMING: Before we get going here, I want to let readers know we won’t file a column next week. I’ll be away on a long trip and ask that if you’ve got urgent film news, please email patrick@deadline.com and anita@deadline.com, as well as me. Onward.

BART: Tom Cruise usually casts himself as the hero in his films, but he’s definitely the “heavy” in a new documentary on Scientology to be broadcast in two weeks on HBO. And his depiction may affect the international box office returns of his new Mission: Impossible sequel, which opens July 31. Paramount, the distributor of this $100 million-plus blockbuster, knows that Scientology is an incendiary issue in Germany and a few other European countries. Will the studio need a strategy to deal with Cruise’s cause, or will it totally ignore the issue?

FLEMING: I must tell you this Alex Gibney-directed documentary left me gobsmacked. It is bold and gutsy, given the history of the church as a litigious enterprise. And an HBO showcase means people will see it way more than they do most docus launched at Sundance. Fueled by Lawrence Wright’s book and the on-camera appearances of several former members who once held high posts in the church hierarchy, it paints Scientology as a whole-cloth invention by a prolific science-fiction writer who, per his ex-wife, succeeded in selling it as a belief system as a way to make money. It reveals L. Ron Hubbard as a teller of tall tales of his own wartime exploits that are worse than what got Brian Williams suspended, and depicts his lifelong mission as a quest to get the IRS off his back (the film says that for most of his life he was on the run from the IRS) by having Scientology declared a religion that would not have to pay taxes. What his successor David Miscavige is alleged to have done with the financial clout gained when the IRS gave in — it is suggested the agency capitulated to erase thousands of lawsuits filed directly against individual IRS staffers — is unconscionable. Miscavige comes off in the film as textbook megalomaniac, ruthless in abusing and manipulating staff to maintain control and exploit celebrity members. While Scientology has billions of tax-free real-estate investments worldwide, the docu claims it pays member workers 40 cents an hour or less. The docu also charges Miscavige consolidated his iron grip by locking his leaders in trailers for exercises in cruelty that sound right out of Guantanamo Bay. Now, Gibney’s film ends with a coda that his attempts to get comment from Scientology were unavailing; their PR maintains that the former members who speak out in the film “admitted committing perjury, suborning perjury and lying to the media.” THR ran a five-page blanket refutation (THR’s Kim Masters is one of the major talking heads in the docu). This column reflects our opinions, and I thought the formers members who spoke out came off very believable, no matter how the Scientology power structure slams them now. Why would they lie?

BART: Going Clear paints Scientology as a multibillion-dollar hustle controlling vast real estate holdings as well as the minds of its followers. Defectors from the “religion” (the IRS officially labels it as such) are effectively imprisoned, physically punished and pummeled with litigation. Several of these battered souls are interviewed on the HBO show. Cruise, along with John Travolta, is a long-term Scientologist as well as a major financial backer to the tune of tens of millions of dollars. The HBO doc focuses on Cruise in particular for his almost manic support of the cult-like organization, suggesting that his marriage to Nicole Kidman was systematically undermined by Scientology’s devious chieftain, Miscavige. There are lots of people in Hollywood who personally like Cruise; I am one of them. But I know him on a purely professional basis. He works hard on his roles; he and I have had several delightful conversations on television. He hugs my wife every time he sees her, which she hugely appreciates. But it’s time for a reality check. Cruise again will be seizing the media spotlight in promoting Mission worldwide. And in view of the dramatic indictments of Scientology in the HBO doc, I think he should either resign his membership or deliver a pledge to personally probe Scientology’s offenses, reform its punitive policies and re-dedicate his “religion” to a higher cause. Such as truly helping people, not confiscating their minds. If he is truly the spiritual person he claims to be, then it’s time for Tom Cruise to show some spiritual fortitude: We don’t like him to be the “heavy.”

FLEMING: That would be a laudable outcome, but I just don’t think you can order people how to interpret and react to attacks against their religion. When scandal engulfed the Catholic Church, would you have told me to denounce it? Given the atrocities we see on a daily basis from ISIS, would you tell a Muslim to switch teams? You overestimate the impact this documentary will have on stars like Travolta and Cruise, because they are clearly encouraged to view it as an attack and not pay attention. Paul Haggis, an Oscar-winning filmmaker who seems like a bright guy, spent 30 years in that church and said he never even looked online at coverage critical of Scientology, until he left. He didn’t even realize until after the fact how two of his daughters were emotionally abused by this faith because they were lesbians? How does a father allow something like this happen to his daughters? If Cruise didn’t reconsider his allegiance to the church when his wife Katie Holmes left (reports said she didn’t want their daughter indoctrinated into Scientology), a critical documentary won’t make that much of a difference. I bet he doesn’t even watch it. But that doesn’t mean others won’t watch it and maybe even press the IRS to reconsider what the federal agency has enabled here.

BART: You are missing the point: It is one thing to be an adherent to a faith but it’s another to be its principal spokesman and benefactor. Further, you and I know that Cruise has the intelligence and forcefulness to re-direct Scientology down a whole new path. He has explained to me how, when he was a young man, Scientology gave him confidence and discipline. Well he’s not a young man any more — he’s a very rich and powerful grownup, and he has an obligation to use that maturity to re-direct the institution that he helped create.

FLEMING: I generally avoid the topic of religion with movie stars because it feels like a personal matter. What I know of Cruise is that he is a dedicated producer and star of his movies. He’s always in shape and that takes work as you get older. Whatever he does to gain the discipline and confidence to do what he does, it clearly works for him. No superstar I can think of would have done the stunts he did atop that Abu Dhabi skyscraper for Ghost Protocol. He seems kind and considerate to the people around him and a dedicated father. I have interviewed both Cruise and John Travolta; you can’t judge the way stars behave around a journalist, but they both seemed like pretty nice guys. I honestly don’t know how to balance all this against what I saw in this documentary and how members are abused and ostracized. Those members are audited, a process where they reveal every intimate indiscretion, and that information is stored and potentially used against them. What religion does that? To me, religion is a mechanism that gives you hope and optimism and triggers good things like conscience, generosity, empathy. Just like in governments and business, we’ve seen people atop religious institutions corrupt the good by adding factors like self-preservation, paranoia, hubris and insecurity. When a faith of any kind forces members to sever ties with family members or persecutes those who leave—described in detail in the docu—it feels to me like a reprehensible act. I am not sure though that Cruise needs to take responsibility for any of this. The docu is fascinating in how it dissects the formation of Scientology, and because of the former church bureaucrats who explain how things were done. Haggis is one of them. One bizarre episode in this film is a segment on how Miscavige allegedly chose for Cruise a girlfriend who was transformed to be a perfect mate. When that effort went awry, she is depicted as being humiliated with tasks that included scrubbing toilets with her toothbrush, though she did nothing wrong. A nobody at the time, she is the actress Nazanin Boniadi, who played a pivotal role in Showtime’s Homeland and is the female lead in MGM/Paramount’s remake of Ben-Hur. This story has a long tail.

BART: As for Paramount, the studio has the right to ignore the whole controversy, which it likely will. Avoidance therapy was always a favored tactic of studio marketers. On the other hand, Paramount has always been tough with Tom. At the start of the Mission franchise, when Tom’s salary demands were deemed excessive, the studio flatly said ‘no’ and, when CAA dug in, Sumner Redstone summarily fired him. The studio refused to sign on to a deal where its star would make millions before it saw any profits. That was a fight over money. If Tom Cruise’s ‘religion’ makes him a financial liability, he can always be ‘fired’ once again. That’s a sobering reality that may impact his thinking.

FLEMING: I recall early on he had over 30% of Mission: Impossible first dollar gross as star and producer, and bestowed some of that when he got first dollar gross directors like John Woo. It was a mission impossible for Paramount to make money on that deal. A more reasonable deal was made when Cruise and JJ Abrams revived a dead franchise with Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol. When Cruise’s career faltered after he jumped on Oprah’s couch, made public comments about Scientology and criticized Brooke Shields for taking drugs to combat her severe postpartum depression, he took responsibility. He publicly apologized and righted his ship. After, he said he learned that his feelings about his faith had their place; he limits discussions about it to proper forums, but mostly he keeps it to himself and doesn’t make it a preoccupation when he is out selling his latest action film. I am speculating here, but I think his career means enough to him that if a Scientology scandal threatened it, he would distance himself or perhaps force the reforms you suggest. I don’t think he or Travolta are architects of the unsavory things in this documentary; Cruise is just the Church of Scientology’s highest profile member.

63 Comments

Anonymous • on Mar 15, 2015 9:56 am

Very interesting summary and discussion of the consequences of a good documentary that has been a long time in coming. After the church of Scientology’s aggressive response, one has to question ; If all those former members are liars and all the allegations are truly false (as the COS alleges), then wouldn’t the VERY litigious “church” sue the crap out of all involved? A resounding yes you bet they would, but you cannot sue for telling the truth. There is SO much more to this story and many more that need to be told. Thank you for this well written article.

Well, it’s easy to paint something in a negative light and create a buzz from it – especially if it’s a new religion.
But anyone can take facts that are “true” and distort reality by omitting other related facts or context.
Make a movie on me with all the bad things I did from an early age and I would look awful. But include the good things and even mediocre things and you have a completely different film. The “bad” film would sell and the other film might go unnoticed.

Anonymous • on Mar 16, 2015 2:32 pm

I don’t care how many “good” things COS has done. They’ve destroyed the lives of anyone who has crossed them or inadvertently gotten in the way of their agenda.

babybunker • on Mar 16, 2015 6:44 pm

WaterHorse.. Puhlllllllllllease.. I have seen you elsewhere and it is very clear to me that you are a Scientologist.

You belong to a very dangerous Cult. This Documentary is a true depiction of What is Going on inside your ” Chirch.”

Alex Gibney and Lawrence Wright did their research. I read Wright’s book . It is Outstanding. It is filled with facts that you do not know.

I know Hubbard’s policies.. many are despicable.. and I will post them if need be. I have lists of those who have died via Scientology…

I know the OT levels.. backwards and forwards.. The Ls .. the Bts..
I know things that you couldn’t possibly know because you are not allowed to read enturbulation ..or Truths..

You are here because Scientology is desperate and you are trying to dissuade others from watching ” Going Clear ” HBO March 29th.

It ain’t going to work. You had so many Lawyers at the helm to sue..but hmmmm HBO Lawyers were in full force to make sure that facts were presented.

Your numbers are dwindling .. People are blowing right and left.. amazing.

If you are ready to leave Scientology please call 1-866SEAORG for information on how you can do this. No need to route out.. Just walk away..

And how come your ” Chirch ” won’t let you watch this Documentary?

LRH Lied about EVERYTHING.. He was an evil man. It’s all out thee on the internet.. We are watching.

just go over to the recent People magazine article and see all of ‘waterhorse’s’ comments and you can see how scientology’s OSA (Office of Special Affairs… yeah, that’s what they call themselves) try and combat all the true comments about their cult. What’s funny here is that this poster is trying to disguise his/her obvious cult connection. It’s almost too funny to see the way they’re floundering trying to deal with all the amazing Going Clear reviews.

babybunker • on Mar 16, 2015 9:27 pm

Absolutely agree with you Media Lush. You can spot a Scientology a mile away.. And OSA? Much closer.

jimmy woo • on Apr 5, 2015 2:13 pm

Scientology cult deflection question.

Mark Kelley • on Mar 15, 2015 10:58 am

The problem becomes : how do you distance yourself from brainwashing? Look how long it took for Paul Haggis to snap out of it. And Scientology did not give Haggis a stitch of his talent. He had it before he ever got involved with this psychological blackmailing trap as did Cruise and Smith and Travolta. They have this argument comparing it to how other religions function. You can throw a rock in mid-town Manhattan and hit a lapsed Catholic. They’re not punitively pursued anti-socially by an in-house K.G.B. and C.I.A. inspired by Hubbard’s directive “never defend, always attack” in order to “ruin” your opponents. Start there in how its tax-exempt status should be overturned. That’s organized crime masquerading as religion. The amplification system that permits it to thrive financially. Meaning fraud at ground zero. That’s what that is.

I was raised in a pentecostal church. That’s the type of evangelical christian church where people speak gibberish while crying or laughing manically and fall on the floor shaking. I left as a young adult.

I have never been very judgmental of other religions. How could I be? Not many are even a fraction as weird as mine was. So, I have never judged Scientology. As far as I can see, they are, at worst, like being in a college fraternity.

But I respect anyone who has been member of a religion who wants to criticize that religion. I don’t think it’s fair for me to judge their religion, but I judge the hell out of my religion and I think they have every right to do the same with theirs.

Most of the people I knew growing up in my crazy church were the nicest people. But I would warn any sane person away from that church. If ex members of Scientology want to do the same, I think they should.

But I do think that anyone who is or has been a part of any other religion should maybe look at the plank in their own eye before they point at the sliver in the eyes of the members of Scientology.

Just my 2 cents.

Jay • on Mar 15, 2015 12:36 pm

Anton , that is one of the things I think the ex-members of this church/cult/whatever can’t see. Most everyone brought up in some kind of Christian sect has seen very similar things. They aren’t the only ones with abusive issues including ‘disconnection’ issues. Fact remains some are drawn to it and it helped them. Most of the main critics of Sci. were members for 20-30 years and only left when something happened to them personally, but now they try and demand Cruise or Travolta leave when they say so. It doesn’t work that way.
The cult gets criticized for calling some of the critics criminals but if you do some research you will find they aren’t all that clean and the agenda is clear, so while Sci does have very serious issues, they do have a point about some of the people in this film and the one sided agenda. It’s sort of like a Sammy the Bull thing. Sammy was still in for many years so leaving didn’t make him a saint or someone to be believed without question. Any good journalist would investigate the person making claims and not take their word as absolute just because they left the organization.
Not to negate the pain of those who were hurt in this organization but at it’s height I think it was only 100k large and now under 50k. Many abusive Christian sects are much bigger and have damaged a lot more people and it all falls under freedom of religion…like it or not, it’s been that way since the beginning of time with sects/religions,etc.

Ella • on Mar 15, 2015 6:41 pm

” they do have a point about some of the people in this film and the one sided agenda”

I’d be interested to hear you expand on this Jay, and what this one sided agenda is. If someone experiences abuse and then talks about it, is that one-sided.

Are the people who suffered abuse at the hands of Catholic priests, who then talk pu blicly about this, pursuing a one-sided agenda?

Without witness statements like these, how can we ever hope to end human rights abuses?

This sounds like an attack on the victims to the benefit of the abusers. In fact, you have very deftly forwarded the Scientology PR line.

Jay • on Mar 16, 2015 8:33 am

I never said the individuals who were telling their story were one sided however, the maker of a documentary is being one sided in his coverage.
Any documentary you would see on the Catholic church would tell both sides even if the C Church didn’t have someone talking directly.

Why would anyone expect the Cos reps to talk to a group of people that already hate them and are making a movie to slam them? No matter what they said it would be presented in the film the way Alex wanted it to be. He hates them and has an agenda. Fine. His call. However, it is understandable the other side didn’t want to talk to him if they knew his agenda already. Nothing they said would change his mind.

Anonymous • on Mar 16, 2015 10:18 am

Jay, you do realize that the makers of this film asked the cult to participate. They refused to do so on camera. The cult also refused to answer questions. They did, however, supply lots of ‘dead agent’ materials on the ex-members.
What kind of ‘church’ has, in their church policies, instructions on how to ruin someone (i.e. dead agent) who is critical?
This is a criminal organization that needs to be dismantled. Making any excuses for them is akin to saying ‘but the Nazis had some good ideas too’. I have not seen the film, but I know a bit about this cult. There have been several suspicious deaths, countless broken families, child labor, hiding child abuse (Google ‘Jan Eastgate’), fraud on a spectacular level.
Anyone is free to believe in whatever faith they choose, but no one is about the law.

Ella is a well known scientology OSA sock puppet with a specialised remit to divert or distract from any anti scientology comments on the internet… re-read what she’s written above and try and spot the technique they use, lol

babybunker • on Mar 16, 2015 9:31 pm

Scientology is creating the Black PR Jay.. It is very desperate at this point. It is finally getting the attention that it deserves. FINALLY.. everyone will be able to see the true facts.

Please google ” They Should Not Have Died” and read facts yourself. Scientology is evil. It is dangerous. Please educate yourself by going to Tony Ortega Dot Org for the truth.

babybunker • on Mar 16, 2015 9:25 pm

Anton.. But.. and this is a huge But.. Scientology is NOT a Religion. It is a Business. Oh sure they are tax exempt, but this Documentary will explain why.

It is a series of hypnotic drills that uses Mind Control and does NOT allow for Critical Thinking.

It is all based on FEAR.. Scientology has ruined lives. People have lost their lives and are driven to financial ruin. People have become psychotic. Families are broken apart due to disconnection.

I do NOT care what they believe. That is NOT why I fight. I fight because of the many abuses within Scientology. It is a scam. It was founded by a man who wanted power. After his death it was taken over by a man who continued this abuse.

Would you call an organization a religion when it condoned children being locked in a chain locker for days? Well, it happened. It is absolutely sickening.

Just watch the Documentary. Don’t take my word for it. It will give you information you need to form an opinion. It is an evil cult.

paul schmick • on Mar 15, 2015 11:22 am

I have no opinion. To each his own. However, I have to say that the media loves to build up our heroes only to tear them down. If some loony scifi writer gives Cruise peace of mind in a mad world then I say good for him and mind your own business.

Yerena • on Mar 15, 2015 12:16 pm

You obviously didn’t read the book see the movie and know nothing about Scientology and it’s foundation of beliefs.

Karen • on Mar 15, 2015 5:51 pm

So you’re a former member of the Church of Scientology, Yerena? I hope you’re not judging it based on just the book, this movie, and media reports. Honestly. Why is it any of your business that Tom Cruise finds something of value from L. Ron Hubbard’s writings? I hope no one here is judging you on your religious beliefs.

Deej • on Mar 15, 2015 9:59 pm

Maybe, to start: LRH was a con man, deluded, paranoid and peddled his pulpy science fiction to “religious theory” in order to make lots of bank and evade the IRS? Those are facts. Throw in the little matter of abuses in the organization, sick and reprehensible smearing and fear tactics and more, and one has ever right to judge.

As far as what passes as actual organization “doctrine:” that’s so galatically incoherent it’s not worthy of discussion.

candy • on Mar 16, 2015 2:47 pm

Why is it our business, Karen? How about for starters this cult has destroyed lives, not to mention the extreme cases of human rights violations and child labor it has been involved in. Cruise is a public figure who has used his position to push this “religion” onto others, as well as publicly judged other people who don’t adhere to it, and so he’s fair game. I realize it’s your job, Karen, to post this stuff, and I feel sorry for you. They’ve convinced you are an integral part of this great, noble, life-changing philosophy, but in truth, you’ve been brainwashed into defending a cult that has shattered human lives.

dexmac • on Mar 25, 2015 3:45 am

Why can’t we judge him on his religious beliefs? Scientology does. All religions say all other religions are BS. And they’re all right. All religions are rubish. But the problem with Co$ is they are a criminal conspiracy. They ruin people’s lives. They go after people under a doctrine called “fair game”. They split families with a doctrine of “disconnection”. They rip off their members with an endless maze of to do lists. They are a cult and a money-making scam.

nice try OSA… so you think Cruise has peace of mind? … well how about the fact he’s disconnected from his daughter, Suri?

… think I’m lying… well how about you try and find just one photo of him with her that is newer than two years old… what you guys at Deadline Hollywood?.. surely you have professional access to loads of picture databases… see if you can do the same… then put that into context to the apologist mumblings of Bert and Fleming here.

How the hell these guys can equate Cruise with being a “pro”, always on time – great guy on set etc whilst ignoring the fact… FACT!… that his cult made him disconnect from his daughter sticks in my craw… they should do a little bit more research and maybe make amends to their first comments.

babybunker • on Mar 16, 2015 9:35 pm

You know what Paul.. You should mind Scientologies business..There is abuse going in there. People signed up to make the world a better place.. and are now under Mind Control.

It is a dangerous cult. Tom Cruise is the Poster Child and has responsibility to tell the truth. Period.

I will be more than happy to state the policies from LRH on here. He was a despicable human being.. a bigot and a racist.. Want proof? I got it.

The Oracle • on Mar 15, 2015 11:50 am

According to the Scientology Organization, they have never,ever, ever, done anything wrong to anyone ever. Google “The Church of Scientology denies”. About 426,000 results (0.55 seconds) And,anyone who even remotely suggests a fault with the Church, is a lying criminal. They never ever admit to causing anything. And this is written in their codes. It is also against their religion to co operate with the demands of civil law or to rat out another Scientologist.

This is directly from their ethics codes book: There are “suppressive acts” which are grounds for expulsion: “Suppressive Acts include public disavowal of Scientology or Scientologists in good standing with Scientology Organizations; public statements against Scientology or Scientologists. Testifying hostilely before state or public inquiries into Scientology to suppress it; reporting or threatening to report Scientology or Scientologists to civil authorities. Bringing civil suit against any Scientology organization or Scientologist including the nonpayment of bills or failure to refund . Delivering up the person of a Scientologist without defense or protest to the demands of civil or criminal law.

The above”religious codes” enable the self appointed “leader” or, as he refers to himself, “The Pope”, to engage and carry out all criminal acts with the full support of his members.

Now, you may understand why, when you Google, “The Church of Scientology denies”, you get About 426,000 results (0.55 seconds).

“When scandal engulfed the Catholic Church, would you have told me to denounce it? Given the atrocities we see on a daily basis from ISIS, would you tell a Muslim to switch teams? You overestimate the impact this documentary will have on stars like Travolta and Cruise, because they are clearly encouraged to view it as an attack and not pay attention.”

No one outside of Hollywood cares about Scientology. I don’t know a single person who has talked about Scientology to me in years. But we talk about ISIS and Islam at work and in social circles constantly. HBO creates this big documentary and no one I know cares. But Bill Maher mentions Islamic terrorism in passing and it explodes into an international debate. I think that this documentary is as overrated as the book it was based on. I read the book and walked away thinking that Scientology was nothing to worry about compared to Islam.

Observer • on Mar 15, 2015 10:46 pm

Islam has nearly 2 billion followers and has been around for 1400 years. It has survived the Crusades, the Mongols, the Inquisition, the European colonialists and the two George Bushes. It’s not going anywhere. Scientology on the other hand will be lucky if it still exists in a decade and its leadership does not end up in prison for the rest of their lives.

Anonymous • on Mar 28, 2015 10:36 pm

Islam didn’t “survive” anything. They asked to be attacked in almost every circumstance. They “started” the crusades by invading the homes of Eastern Christians. And your point is silly besides. The Mormon Church was founded by a money-digger as well, and they’re still alive an kicking.

babybunker • on Mar 16, 2015 9:48 pm

” No one outside of Hollywood cares about Scientology.”

Roger that is Simply NOT true.. The Celebrity Center is miniscule to how many people have been financially ruined, abused or lost families.

If you knew someone was being held captive would you care? Or if your elderly aunt was swindled because she would lose her eternity ? So many horror stories.. Happening internationally.

To think that you wouldn’t care is certainly a lack of apathy on your part. I would hate to live like that.. Not caring about another human beings pain.

Jeremy • on Mar 15, 2015 12:57 pm

I don’t think you’ll hear anything from Cruise, Travolta, or any current high-profile member of the group talking about this documentary as they are probably being actively shielded from it’s very existence by their rumored omni-present Scientology handlers.
Instead, you will see a huge PR push/ ad campaign by the “church” showing a kinder, gentler organization much like the commercials aired during the Super Bowl hoping to reel in any vulnerable people who are more susceptible to snake-oil ad pitches than the normal person.

zemooo • on Mar 16, 2015 11:59 am

It will be interesting to see how the CO$ actually tries to ‘handle’ Gibneys Docu. They usually try the nazi/jew comparison, but that meme is kind of old and actually $cienos blame the holocaust on psychiatrists. If the comments made by Danny Masterson are any indication, the foul mouth rhetoric will be fun to watch. But that rhetoric will be an exercise in cognitive dissonance and devoid of any real logic. The ads in the NY Times and other places are just too laughable to consider seriously.

$cientology always tries to punch above their weight, but the slightest bit of determination makes them run and hide. The New York Times had a nice op-ed piece on how the $cientology paper tiger burned down.

Cruise and Travolta have personally profited from the labor of $cieno minions, they need to man up and either take responsibility for their actions and help make a change. I expect both to punt and not say anything. That pay check is too good to do without. And without is the next thing coming down the pike. A boycott of $cieno clebs has been brewing for a long time. Gibney and Lawrence Wright’s work may make that boycott happen.

GhostOfGriffinMill • on Mar 15, 2015 1:56 pm

One key flaw to me for Scientology as “religion” is that while every other religion — including any we might term “cult like” — may or may-not proselytize, they all openly share their “Creator” story: where we came from, why we are here.

Scientology, on the other hand, actively proselytizes but HIDES its core tenants, even from the indoctrinated faithful, until they have been in the system for years and paid thousands of dollars to the “church”.

As a religious person and a masters degree in divinity studies, it has always seemed clear to me: Scientology may be a belief system — and, for some, a very valuable one — but it is, clearly, not a “religion”.

Robert Eckert • on Mar 16, 2015 11:22 am

The closest analogue within the history of traditional religions would be mystery sects of the early centuries CE in which you would buy hidden lore, typically about levels of heaven and hell and the names of the ruling angels and demons so that you could cast spells controlling them, from a pretentious teacher.

JEF • on Mar 15, 2015 2:35 pm

I have read the book, which was mindblowing and had previously had a pretty good understanding of what Scientology was about and how it’s affected it members, its ex-members and so on. I believe that those who are interested in this and who will read the book for watch the documentary on HBO already have a pretty good understanding of the ruse that is Scientology and dutifully accept the movie star Tom Cruise separate from the weird cult member Tom Cruse. I doubt it’ll ruffle any Hollywood feathers, meaning those ho watch aleady know.

Megan Rudeen • on Mar 15, 2015 2:57 pm

I’ve been a big Gibney fan for years, so I made it a point to see this film. I was pretty disappointed and I wonder if he’s lost his touch. Where was that novel perspective, that intelligence that I’ve come to love in his other work. I feel this film was dumbed down or made to create some kind of mass appeal. The reason I say “dumbed down” is anyone who reads the news was already familiar with, I’d say, 80 percent of the information Gibney presented. For example, did anyone miss the tabloid coverage on the Tom Cruise,/Naz Boniadi affair? Do I really need to be subjected to that in a serious film? And not a single person who still calls himself or herself a Scientologist interviewed? Not one? I came out feeling like I’d just watched a two-hour commercial against Scientology. Was that the point? So, not your usual Gibney fair.

Elen • on Mar 16, 2015 11:45 pm

As others have pointed out both Gibney & Lawerence REPEATEDLY tried to get someone, anyone from CoS to participate. They not only declined but showed up at the NY Times (when Lawerence wrote his initial piece on Haggis) with over 100 lawyers. That is what prompted the writing of the book, then the film.
Not only that but members are being told to NOT to see the film, (if they do they risk being named as a “potential trouble source”) but to go ahead and attack the film and denounce it unseen, armed with not a single fact to help them. Sad.

Speaking of Cruise… “he should either resign his membership or deliver a pledge to personally probe Scientology’s offenses, reform its punitive policies and re-dedicate his “religion” to a higher cause.”

I’m an atheist, so trust me, I’m not a supporter of ANY church or cult, but even I can see the logical folly in the quote above. Why should anyone have to denounce their beliefs or do anything to appease pundits? It would be great if believers in ridiculous ideas were able to see the error of their ways and try to correct any wrong thinking or actions that have come from that, but beliefs are beliefs and foolish or irrational, we’re entitled to them.

Mike • on Mar 15, 2015 4:37 pm

Regarding Travolta and Cruise and whether they should either resign from the “Church” of Scientology or try to reform it: I don’t think you can compare Scientology to Islam or Catholicism because in those cases, the fish doesn’t necessarily stink from the head down (although one could make that case for the Catholic Church) – sometimes cases of abuse may be rampant, but they are not ordered or ordained. In the case of Scientology, this is a very small “religion” compared to Christianity, Judaism, or Islam – in fact, it seems that it has less that 50,000 — in addition, it is almost certainly controlled exclusively by those at the top. This isn’t case of abuses occurring at random churches throughout the world. This is a case of abuses being ordered by those at the top. One could argue that the Pope isn’t ordering priests in the mid-west to abuse kids, but one could certainly argue that Miscavige is the root of most of what is wrong with Scientology. As a result, I disagree with Fleming when he says you can’t expect stars to resign from their religion because of reported abuses. Of course, I think that if you have gay friends, or you believe in equality for women, you probably should withdraw from the Catholic church as well (or most religious groups). None of them really share the beliefs that most open-minded Hollywood types do. In addition, if you have a problem with all the abuse in the catholic church, what better way to send it a message than by protesting or resigning? But that’s just me.

candy • on Mar 16, 2015 2:56 pm

Well said.

There are those people who continue to practice the principles of Scientology AND have rejected/rebuked the CHURCH of Scientology and its leader. I wish Cruise and Travolta would wake up (if they really have no idea– I still have trouble believing that) because I believe it could be the final nail in the coffin for this dangerous cult.

Scientology seems like a load of BS to me, and if it brings people comfort and confidence, so be it, BUT the ACTIONS of the church are a problem. They can believe in Xenu and Thetans and, hell, charge people for it, but their human rights abuses and how they treat non-celebrity children is a huge problem. The authorities need to stop turning a blind eye in the name of freedom of religion and finally properly investigate this abusive organization.

Karen • on Mar 15, 2015 6:25 pm

No doubt Mr. Cruise may lose some fans that feel he’s personally responsible for the alleged abuses depicted in this movie (and sensationalized by certain members of the media). However, I doubt this will have any major impact on the success of his work. I don’t know about you, but I still continue to listen, watch (and even purchase) media by “shadier” individuals.

Really? Is this a major issue in the entertainment industry – a fringe religion adhered to by a couple of aging, fading stars who have long been dogged by rumors about their personal lives? Surely there are more important issues in the biz.

Mymy88 • on Mar 17, 2015 9:28 am

You would be surprised to learn how much effort this ‘church’ puts into persuading politicians and judiciary participants. This octopus has many slithering arms. Are you curious about their successes? I’ll be happy to suggest a starting point, type ‘scientology + judges’ into your preferred search engine.

Todd • on Mar 16, 2015 9:54 am

I don’t see Cruise making any statement about the book or film. As I understand it (and I could be wrong), reporters have to have there questions approved before they are granted an interview with him. So no reporter will be asking him any questions.

By now, most people know the truth about Scientology and Tom Cruise’s involvement with the “church”. They have made up their minds. Unless Cruise is directly linked to some grievous scandal, people will keep going to his movies as long as he makes movies they want to see.

Lisa • on Mar 16, 2015 8:39 pm

That is half the problem-journalists and media in general need to grow some balls and stop bowing to both the Co$ and TC about what can and can’t be asked when it comes to the cult. That excuse is wearing very thin with those of us that know the truth about what this church is doing and how they are exploiting the First Ammndmt.

Anonymous • on Mar 16, 2015 10:04 am

This is hilarious. Did anyone ever think scientology was a legitimate organization? You’ve got to be kidding.

Mr. Fleming, no one is asking Tom Cruise or John Travolta to give up their beliefs. They are only asked to speak out against the atrocities being committed within the church. In the same manner that I, along with most people, do not ask you, a Catholic, to renounce your faith or your church because of the crimes committed against children by some priests. Instead, I expect you as a rational and responsible man to denounce the crimes and call for change. Really, isn’t it the same thing?

Panopea Abrupta • on Mar 16, 2015 3:27 pm

Fascinating that you think that Cruise and Travolta should get a free ride, Mr. Fleming.
MISSION:Implausible.
They are aware of and complicit in the abuses. Cruise has had slave-labor Sea Org work done on his hangar and his van.
50 c an hour to customize his van with burl-wood?
Human-trafficking is not to be lightly brushed aside.
They both shill for Scientology and, in the case of Travolta, for Narconon, an absolutely predatory front-group that has killed many and is embroiled in over 40 law-suits for fraud as I write.
Lending their fame and fortune to the abusive organization that is CoS, when knowing about the abuses, makes them guilty of criminal negligence.
They are willfully blind.

Not for long.
The HBO documentary, by THE leading documentary-maker of our times, will reach millions.
It has a good shot at an Oscar in 2016.

Watch Paramount work at damage control.
Cruise’s star is fading.
MI5 will be the flare-out of the super-nova – or Tom Cruise will come clean.
TICK TOCK, Tom.
The boycott campaign will be interesting.

Waterhose, will you go to the ArcLight and watch Going Clear? Will you do that for us? Can you do that? No, of course you can’t. You’re not allowed to. The whole “think for yourself” line would be hilarious if it didn’t have a body count attached to it. Go see the movie. See it for Ellie Perkins. See it for Noah Lottick. See it for Lisa McPherson. See it for Shelly Miscavige. See it . . .

Mymy88 • on Mar 16, 2015 9:04 pm

Once millions of people see ‘Going Clear’ on HBO at the end of this month, you’re done $cientology. Anybody with more than two unbrainwashed brain cells to rub together, will be able to go online and conclude something sneaky is definitely up with $cientology, at the very least. Most people will do a little digging and God bless the ones that actually hurl themselves into the rabbit hole in order to try to take it all in, but all will see clearly that Scientology is one of the most warped and wicked menaces to have ever walked the earth.

Mike • on Mar 16, 2015 9:09 pm

Anyone who has bothered to spend just a small of amount of effort doing minimal research online can learn what exactly this cult teaches and how truly wacky there are. I have lost friends to this cult and it is as bad as this docu says. I honestly cannot believe it has kept going this long. Someday people will look back at this in disbelief and horror that it lasted this long.

The question that the IRS must answer is exactly how many people must I hypnotize to believe I run a religion in order to get tax free status. I was involved years ago, this summarizes what I have learned – in 1997, I was being deposed under color of law by RTC using a bankruptcy proceeding against critic Grady Ward, with whom I associated, they had video running but have YET to release the video.. no wonder why:

DEPOSITION STARTS
ROSEN: Mr Lerma, why do you continue to say bad things about the Church of Scientology???

LERMA: Mr Rosen, in your question, are you referring to the international psychopolitical terrorist organization running a rapidly shrinking but still brisk business defrauding innocent citizens worldwide doing business as scientology and related entities and front groups???

There is no way in HELL that I’m going to support Tom Cruise or any other Scientologist’s movies or television shows in the future after seeing this documentary. No way. If you do then you are supporting physical and mental abuse and forced cheap labor. Period. This cult is done.

Eric • on Mar 31, 2015 10:28 pm

Boycott anything to do with Cruise and Travolta as they knowingly profit and benefit from a cult that brainwashes and abuses its members.

Very interesting discussion. Perhaps I missed someone mentioning that at one time Cruise did distance himself from COS, while married to Kidman, and Miscavig (sorry if I spelled that incorrectly) hated that and that is what led to them orchestrating the breakup of that marriage. Cruise has distanced himself before. Now they pander to Cruise in a BIG WAY, I believe they do this in order to redirect his attention. If they keep him happy then he’s not going to be looking at their behaviors, it’s the whole magician’s redirection technique. They are terrified their richest start will defect….and they can’t have that because he is rich enough and powerful enough to afford the security, afford to do whatever it takes to keep them away from him, if he chooses to do it.